Baghdad’s Modern Rock Alternative ( to terrorism )

Jihadists have the Internet, a web of tunnels and a network of safe houses to wage their war of terror in Iraq.

To fight that, the U.S. has the world’s best military, the nation’s best intentions at heart…and an FM radio playlist of Fallout Boy, Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5.

“Don’t kill anyone” — The phrase that pays

Driven by the can-do spirit of Judy Garland and Micky Rooney in those MGM musicals, and powered by the basic hardware found at a Radio Shack, American soldiers now set up ad hoc radio stations in certain neighborhoods. The low power stations broadcast a steady stream of Iraqi and American pop music. Between the songs, soldiers play public service announcements about ratting out terrorists in the ‘hood.

On other occasions, they plug iPods into public address systems when they’re handing out food or medicine in order to cast a laid-back, festival vibe over proceedings that can sometimes turn ugly if agitators are in the vicinity.

The pop music is a genius marketing move. Militant groups have decreed that pop music is decadent, but the people want it. The U.S. Army, like a good radio music director, is giving the people what they want.

Here’s something else the Iraqis want…

Free the Shoe Guy

Protesters have taken to the streets, demanding the military release Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the journalist who hurled his shoes angrily at President Bush during a press conference in Baghdad Sunday. They say he’s “an honorable man.” Too bad. You can’t let people, even decent, honorable ones, throw things at heads of state. There have to be consequences. This guy only threw shoes, but the next guy could be throwing glass bottles, or knives, or grenades.

Revisionists rejoice!

Wikipedia now offers a version of the site for mobile users. The world’s biggest source of questionable information is now available for handheld devices, such as Blackberrys and iPhones. That means that you can edit inaccurate information into entries and effectively change history while on the go. The link also includes some cool Wikipedia tricks to make those history-altering moments more enjoyable.

Thousands of lives save, and thousands of dirty jokes are born

Everyone needs to keep their minds out of the gutter for this one: British researchers have developed artificial, injectable “bone” that can be squeezed out like toothpaste and hardens once it’s in the body. It’s hoped the material will one day eliminate the need for many bone-grafts, thus preventing the risk of tissue damage, scarring and subsequent infections.